It's the season for 'Nutcracker'

New Jersey Ballet plans 14 shows

Photo courtesy of VAM Productions -
The Waltz of the Flowers in New Jersey Ballet's "Nutcracker." The classic ballet will be staged 14 times at the Mayo PAC Dec. 9-24.

Photo courtesy of VAM Productions -
Herr Drosselmeyer and the children are shown in New Jersey Ballet’s “Nutcracker.”

Photo courtesy of VAM Productions -
The Sugar Plum and her Cavalier in New Jersey Ballet's "Nutcracker."

Photo by Virginia Trudeau -
Emma Crow, 11, of Hackettstown, will perform the role of the doll Columbine in the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet’s “Nutcracker” at Centenary University’s Lackland Center.

Photo courtesy of VAM Productions -
The Nutcracker battles the Mouse King in a past New Jersey Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker.” New Jersey Ballet will stage the classic ballet 14 times at the Mayo Performing Arts Center Dec. 9-24, accompanied by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

New Jersey Ballet's "Nutcracker" is the longest running original professional production in the state. It debuted in Millburn in 1971 with international star of New York City Ballet Edward Villella as the Cavalier. Since then, the company has given approximately 800 performances in theaters throughout New Jersey, with more than 5,000 dancers and children, and more than a million viewers. Many in the audience who saw the production as children now bring their own children and grandchildren to see this cherished holiday tradition.

New Jersey Ballet's "Nutcracker" at MPAC will feature the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gary S. Fagin. When the curtain rises, audiences in Morristown can expect the eye-popping special effects, brilliant dancing, glorious costumes and the magic and pantomime that have inspired critics to call it: "A spectacle that never seems to age. Magic that should go on and on," and "One of the best. As good as it gets."

This season, New Jersey Ballet marks its 56th year as New Jersey's premier classical ballet company. It performs in nine venues from Bergen to Cape May, and has performed internationally with tours to Russia, Taiwan, Bermuda, Italy and India. Its programs have introduced countless children and adults to the magic of dance theater and inspired in many a lifelong love of the arts.

The company's extensive performance schedule is made possible in part by support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and by other corporate, foundation and individual contributors.

New Jersey Ballet has been designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for "artistic excellence, substantial programming, and broad public service," and is a three-time winner of the title New Jersey's Favorite Dance Company.

For more information and a complete performance schedule, visit www.njballet.org.

Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St., Morristown.

Young, award-winning dancer stars at Centenary

HACKETTSTOWN -- The holiday season at the Centenary Stage Company concludes with a flourish as CSC welcomes back the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet and the annual performances of "Nutcracker" in the Sitnik Theatre, Dec. 16, 17 and 18.

Emma Crow, of Hackettstown, is no stranger to the stage. In fact, this local dancer has performed the leading role of Clara at the Lackland Center for two years with the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet's holiday classic "Nutcracker."

Audiences can see this world ballet gold medalist on stage this year as she performs the role of the doll Columbine, in the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet's "Nutcracker."

Performances will be Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m., Saturday Dec. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $28, with discounts for children under 12. For tickets call the Centenary Stage Company box office at 908-979-0900 or order online at www.centenarystageco.org.

The Lackland Center is located at 715 Grand Ave., Hackettstown. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

A dancer since she was 2, Emma Crow takes ballet classes seven days a week at North Jersey School of Dance Arts in Hackettstown. This year, as Emma prepared to enter the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Fla., it became clear that her hard work and dedication would serve her well. First there were hours of coaching with former Kirov ballerina and faculty member, Luba Gulyaeva, that began in November 2015. Then an audition video was prepared and submitted. She was on her way, as the World Ballet adjudication panel accepted her application.

Emma and her family traveled to Florida, with tutus in tow and more rehearsals, and finally she performed in the new Orange County Convention Center's theater. The excitement escalated when Crow made it through Round 1 with high scores. Then, Emma's dream came true when was announced as the gold medalist for the Introductory Category, a title that she will hold forever.

This talented 11-year-old dancer represented the USA, and won the gold medal, an honor that included Emma performing her variation from "La Fille Mal Gardee," in the World Ballet's Gala performance, dancing in the same performance as New York City Ballet's Daniel Ulbricht, San Francisco Ballet's Taras Domitro, stars from the Washington Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and other internationally renowned dancers.